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'2, Sheets-Sheet l.

R. GUASTAVINO. GONSTRUGTION 0F FIRE PROOF BUILDINGS.

. Patented Feb. 9, 1886.`

(No Model.)

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

R. GUASTAVINO.

CONSTRUCTION OF PIRE PROOF BUILDINGS. No. 336,048.

Patented Feb. 9, n1886.

WITNESSES:

NiTno STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RAFAEL GUASTAVINO, OF NEV YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO FRANCESCA RAMIREZGUASTAYINO AND BERNARD S. LEVY, BOTH OF SAME PLACE.

CONSTRUCTION OF FIRE-PROOF BUILDINGS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 336,048, dated February9, 1886.

Application filed September 16, 1885. Serial No. 1773377.

T all wwm t may concern:

Be it known that I, RAFAEL GUAs'ravrNo, a citizen ot' the United States,and a resident of New York, in the county of New York and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in theConstruction of FireeProof Buildings, of which the follow ing is aspecification.

My invention relates to the construction of 1o buildings, andparticularly to such as are to be re-proof; and the improvements which Iseek to protect in this instance have reference to the roofs, floors,and ceilings of such build` ings.

My improvements are applicable to buildings of all descriptions-such asprivate dwellings, factories, theaters, schoolhouses, warehouses, &c.

The object of the invention is to devise a 2o more economical andsubstantial system for constructing ceilings, floors, and roofs than anynow employed. The character of the structures of this nature now in use,in which wooden or iron beams are employed, is not such as to meet therequirements of the service, especially when economy, solidity, andincombustibility are aimed at. Ordinarily, structures such as mentionedare composed of wooden or iron beams on which rests a double 3o woodenfloor; or when fire-proof qualities are specially desired small vaultsof ordinary brick or hollow brick are employed between the beams. Suchconstructions are familiar to architects and builders, and need not beexplained in detail here. In the common forms of those structures theresistance ofthe ceiling depends entirely on the ability of the beams toresist deiection, since the wooden floors and small brick vaults servemerely as bridges 4o between beam and beam, andv in no degree increasethe resisting power of the beams. On the contrary, the iioor or vaultcontributes its weight to augment that weight which alone the beams areintended to support. With my system, which I employ in variousembodiments, all of which, however, having a common object, the iron andbrick, which principally compose the floor, ceiling, or roof, are soarranged with reference to each other and 5o with reference to theentire structure as to utilize their best qualities upon scientificprin- (No model.)

ciples, the iron resisting by tension and not by flexion, andconsequently all the fibers ot its section work in the highestcoefciency, and the vault of brick tiles, resisting by com 55 pressionand being supported upon itself, thus contributing in an efficientmanner to the resisting quality of the floor. The economy that resultsfrom this construction is very great, because the materials enteringinto the struct- 6o ure are employed in a manner for which theirrespective inherent qualities best lit them, thus enabling the use ot'less material ot' agiven kind for the effecting of a predetermineddegree of resistance.

The features of novelty for which I desire protection in this instanceare pointed ont in the claims at the end of this description.

In the accompanying drawings, which form y a part of this specification,and in which like 7o features are indicated by like letters, Figure l isatransverse section of a construction designed for dwellings andfactories where great strength is required. Fig. 2 is a central lonlgitudinal section of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a detail 75 showing the manner ofinclosing the beams and tierods of Fig. l in galvanized-iron boxes. Fig.4 is a transverse section of another einbodiment of my invention,showing iron beams composed of two angle-irons secured to adou- 8o bleT-beain. Fig. 5 is a central longitudinal section of Fig. 4, and it alsorepresents a longitudinal section of a ceiling composed of a series ofshort arches or risers extending transverse of the ceiling withoutthelongarch or riser. Fig. 6 is a transverse section of a` ceiling forthe cheaper class of dwellings, the beams C being of iron, but may be ofwood. Fig. 7 is a central longitudinal section of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is atransverse section of a flat 9o hanging ceiling. Fig. 9 is a centrallongitudinal section of Fig. 8, showing in dotted lines one of the longplates to which the tie-rods are secured. Fig. 10 is a transversesection of a ceiling similar to that shown in Fig. 8, but constructed toprovide greater height of ceiling. Fig. 1l is a central longitudinalsection ot' Fig. l0; and Fig. 12 is a detail of a modied method ofconnecting the tie-rods to the walls and of adjusting their tension.

For building the vaults according to the plan herein explained ordinarybrick are not IOO - Ywhere great strength is required.

well adapted,L YI usebrick tilejsfof about three-v fourths (i). 0f auinch thick by @www Sii. (6) inches wide, and from eight (8) to twelve(l2) inches long. Such tiles are built upinto two or more rings orlayers for each vault, and are set in cement or plaster of paris.When-two or more ri'ngsor layers of tiles of this description are unitedtogether face to face in such manner as to break joints, a structure isproduced having a surface without solution of continuity, and resemblinga large stone three or more inches thick, and which may be ilat orcurved, and when curved, in oneor two!oppositely-directed arches orrisers. Vaults built on this principle possess the requisite elasticity,and resist pressure both by compression, the same as brick, andby'cohcsion, the same as stone or cast-iron.

The structure shown in Figs. l and 2 is intended for factory buildingsand dwellings In this construction, Figs. l and 2, the iron beams C aredouble T-beams, and they are anchored by plates J, located in the sidewalls, A B, as shown. The shape of the plates J is shown 'by dottedlines in Fig. 2. H is the door, and D is the vault,composed of two ormore layers of brick tiles arranged so as to break joints, which Vaulthas its bearings in the side walls, `as shown. g indicates mereornamentation, whichmay be varied according to taste. The letter Kindicates tie-rods, which may be placed from two to four feet apart, thesaine as the beans. Their ends project through the anchor-plates J,andhave nuts L thereonior adjusting the tension ofthe rods. M indicatesrings which connect the tie-rods to the T- beams C, and m indicatespieces of common terra-cotta located between the under surfaceterra-cotta pieces being provided with openings for the passage of thetie-rods K,as shown.

In'Fig. 3 are shown certain features ofk the construction of Figs. l and2, and their relation to the galvanized-iron box or envelope N, which'isof the shape shown in this View, and designed to surround 'and besecured to the beam C, as shown at the right of Fig. 1.

The structure shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is ydesigned especially for cheapfactory-buildings.

The side walls, A B, are provided With suitable tablets, b, at properintervals, upon which rest the iron beams C of the structure. The beamsin this instance are composed of two angle-irons, c, secured to a doubleT-beam, el, as shown. The letters a a', Fig. 5, indicate small tie-rods,which extend between beam and beam at the points designated by a, Fig.et. In 'these views (Figs. 4 and 5) H represents the iioor, as in theother views, and D is the vault,

- constructed similar to the vault of Fig. v1, (with two or more layersof brick tiles.) BeneathV the fioor H, near the side walls, is provideda box for the gas, Ventilating, and other piping, the rest of the vacantspace being lled with t" concrete, 'as shown.' These features are also"shown in other views of the drawings.

It will be observed that in theconstruction JuSt descrbeefFia 4, thevault YD is cemposed ot arches or risers extending transversely as wellas longitudinally ot' the ceiling. By this form ot' vault much greaterstrength is attained than where the vault is composed merelyof a orWood; D, the vault, which is composed ot'4 -two or more layers of bricktiles ot' the charter herein mentioned, and E the trusses between thebeams C. F are the anchor-plates --l for the beams G, and they extendthrough the The heavy black line side walls, as shown.

at the bottom of the beam C (represented by G) is intended to indicatewire-netting, upon which the plasterl is placed. In this structure,

as well as in those shown in the other views of the drawings, thethickness of the vaults'V D and the dimensions of the sections of thebeams and tie-rods depend on the distance between the side walls.

In thestructure shown in Figs. 6 and v7 the Il oo compression isprincipally in the vault D, f which fact relieves the beams C of almostall" which istheir special oliice in the construc tion in question.ofthe vault .D and the T-beams C, the said In Figs. 8 and 9 Iy show aIlat hanging ceill ing designed for dwelling-houses, stores, andv A Inthis embodiment of my vr to factory-buildings. invention those portionswhich are subjected to compressing strain-to wit, the vault andterra-cotta pieces-are composed of cheap ma-y terial, which, althoughcheap, is especiallyf In all iirebut attain cheapness in those parts ofthe' i structure into which it enters, and at the same time derive thelargest results in compressingresistance.

In this form of structure, Fig. 8,

I use tie-rods ofiron, the material best adapted l, for resistingtension strain.v In'these views, f

Figs. 8 and 9, A B are the side Walls, which)V 'i '125 D is the vaultmay be provided with voffsets for bearings for the floor, vault, Snc, asshown.

of two or more layers of tiles, and H is the door.

In this ceiling there are no beams, the tension being in tie-rods'K,which are passed',y 'f "13o through openings'in the terra-cotta piecesin,

which latter are to be substantially of the L shape shown, and arelocated beneath theyA vault D,y as illustrated. The letterOindicatesjmetal plates in the side-walls, AB. These@ plates extend continuouslyfrom end to end of the walls and have the tie-rods K attached thereto.The longitudinal face of the plate O is indicated by dotted linesin Fig.9. The tie-rods are held in plates O, and adjusted by nuts L, as in Fig.l.

In Figs. l() and 1l is shown a hanging ceiling similar to thatillustrated in Fig. 8, except that the terracotta pieces m are of a 1odifferent shape, as will be noticed by comparing the respectivelongitudinal sections 9 and 11. This difference in the shape oftheterracotta pieces m gives greater height to ceilings embodying theconstruction of Fig. l1 than can be attained by the construction of Fig.9.

In Fig. l2 Ishow a modification ofthe manner ofsecu ring the tie-rods Kto the side walls, and of adjusting the rods when in position. In thisview the plates O are upon the interior 2o surface of the sidewalls,which will be the plan adopted when for any reason itis notconvenient to get at the exterior surface of the walls. The turn-buckleL answers the same purpose as the nutsLin the other views, for adjustingthe tie-rods after they have been placed in position.

In addition to the tie-rod K, which, as shown in Fig. 12, extendsbeneath the arch from wall to wall, I may in practice use a 33 straighttierod extending between wall and wall above the arch from O to O.

It may be stated, generally, that the resistance of my ceilings dependsupon the ability of the beams or tie-rods to resist tension and upon theresistance of the vaults or terra-cotta pieces against compression. Vhenthese structures are employed as roofs, the concrete between the doorl-I and vault D will be replaced by Portland cement and the wholecovered 4o with tin or any other desirable covering for roofs.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In the construction ofthe ceilings, roofs, and floors ofdwellinghouses and other buildings, a vault composed of two or morelayers or rings of brick tiles set in cement or plasterof-pariswhichoperates to resist pressure by compression and cohesion, substantiallyas set forth.

2. Aceiling, roof, or floor embodying a vault composed of two or morelayers or rings of brick tiles arranged to break joints, and set incement or plaster-of-paris, substantially as set forth.

3. In a ceiling, roof, or floor, a vault composed of two or more layersor rings of brick tiles set in cement or plaster-of-paris, in comAbination with beams between wall and wall, the said vault arranged toresist pressure by compression and the beams to resist by tension,substantially as set forth.

4. In a ceiling, roof, or floor, a vault composed of two or more layersor rings of brick tiles set in cement or plaster-of-paris, incombination with tie-rods between wall and wall, the said vault arrangedto resist pressure by compression and the tie-rods to resist by tension,substantially as set forth.

5. In a ceiling, roof, or floor, a vault composed of two or more layersor rings of brick tiles set in cement or plaster-of-paris, incombination with tie-rods between wall and wall, and pieces ofterra-cotta arranged beneath the vault, substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

6. In a ceiling, roof, or door, a vault composed of two or more layersor rings of brick tiles set in cement or plaster-of-paris, incombination with beams and tierods between wall and wall, and pieces ofterra-cotta beneath the vault, substantially as set forth.

7. In a ceiling, roof, or floor, a vault composed of two or more layersor rings of brick tiles set in cement or plaster-ofparis, in combinationwith beams between wall and wall, and concrete or Portland cementbetween the top of the vault and the covering for the latter,substantially as set forth.

8. In a ceiling, roof, or licor, a vault composed of two or more layersof brick tiles set in cement or plaster-of-paris, and constructed witharches or risers in two opposed directions, substantially as set forth.

9. In a ceiling, roof, or floor, a vault composed ofbrick tiles, incombination with beams C, tie rods K, anchor-plates J, and rings M,substantially as set forth.

10. In a ceiling, roof, or floor, a vault composed of brick tiles, incombination with beams C, tie rods K, anchor plates J, terra cottapieces m, and rings M, substantially as set forth.

11. In a ceiling, roof, or floor, a vault of brick tiles, in combinationwith tension-beams C and the enveloping boxes N, substantially as setforth.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York,this 15th day of September, A. D. 1885.

RAFAEL GUASTAVINO.

Vitnesses:

F. lWIIRANDA, J. E. M. BOWEN.

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